Thursday, December 10, 2009

13 years after Tupac's death the Vatican endorses his music. On the Vatican's MySpace page they chose 2Pac's "Changes" as one of their favorite songs. Read more HERE and HERE. CNN first reported the story on December 4th, read it HERE. This is a recent effort by the Catholic church to use the internet to reach out to the masses, especially the youth. They have their own YouTube Channel and have been working with Google.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Michael Jackson, who has been a staple in American society ever since the early 1970s, passed away suddenly on June 25, 2009. His unexpected death left many with the question why? The fascination with Jackson’s life even followed him in death. People around the globe wanted to know how the King of Pop died. Death under any circumstances can be very hard to process, but Jackson’s death was definitely premature. Ideas and rumors quickly spread on the Internet because the public wanted to know if his death had been a suicide or a homicide.

In the wake of Jackson’s death, the media could not help but speak of his troubled past. The news of Jackson’s death was followed by a reminder of his idiosyncrasies in life. The New York Times referred to Jackson as the “Peter Pan of pop music” (Barnes June 26, 2009). Jackson was portrayed as an eccentric, Peter Pan wanna-be, plastic surgery getting, baby dangling possible child molester. As more was learned about the events surrounding Jackson’s death, his personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray became the focus of attention. Many wanted to know how Jackson could have died so suddenly while under the watchful eye of a physician. Curiosity continued to loom when the Los Angeles County coroner’s office announced that Jackson’s death was a “homicide caused by acute intoxication from the anesthetic propofol” (Blankstein September 16, 2009).

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Executives from Facebook, Google and Wikipedia traveled to the Vatican to discuss the affects of the internet on youth culture. The Vatican recently began their YouTube channel to keep in touch with the youth (click HERE to see).

For her age she definitely gets much credit for explaining her actions and reactions. She also defines the denial that women in domestic situations deal with very articulately. This issue definitely needs more attention:

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1998 and 2002:

Of the almost 3.5 million violent crimes committed against family members, 49% of these were crimes against spouses.

84% of spouse abuse victims were females, and 86% of victims of dating partner abuse at were female.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

"Common sense is the most fairly distributed thing in the world, for each one thinks he is so well-endowed with it that even those who are hardest to satisfy in all other matters are not in the habit of desiring more of it than they already have."

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Estranged Labour by Karl Marx intricately describes how the human becomes disconnected from his or her own labor. He describes the overall labor market, and consequences before and after production, as the political economy. This political economy “does not disclose the source of the division between labor and capital, and between capital and land.” Marx describes a climate where those apart of this political economy must search deep to find the answers to questions about the relationship between the worker and his or her labor.

Marx concludes that the worker in this political economy is forced into labor, instead of volunteering. When the worker is forced to work and perform a job he/she dislikes or despises, the worker begins to feel out of their element. Marx states that the only time the worker feels human or free is when he/she is performing routine animal functions. Due to this lack of freedom and autonomy, Marx states, “what is animal becomes human and what is human becomes animal.”

This statement is fully loaded; is Marx saying that we are loosing our humanity? What is animal-like can be described as a human’s basic functions like eating, drinking, procreating, etc., while human functions can be defined as emotional, critical and creative actions. So, if the workers in the political economy humanize their animal traits and de-humanize their human traits, what will be the immediate and long-term effects? In this political economy workers and employers alike transform into a sort-of different species. They no longer use reasoning and emotional capabilities to make decisions (i.e., Maydoff, Enron, Bush, etc.). The majority in this reverse society glorifies the animal actions in life; much pleasure can be found in dining, drinking, bathing, etc. The true creativity and purpose of each human being is methodically suppressed. Marx sees the consequence of this transformation clearly: the human becomes estranged from his/her own humanity, which brings a dark cloud and depression over humanity. “Man’s species being, both nature and his spiritual species property into a being alien to him,” stated Marx. When the majority becomes alien-like, humans become disconnected from one another.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Great video made by a college student for a project. Definitely makes you listen to this song and watch the news a little differently. I'm not sure why we for got about New Orleans, but we shouldn't. Wouldn't you loot in their position, which is a position they never should have been in. Truth hurts.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

One of two newborn panda twins in China. This photo was taken Tuesday, August 18, 2009 shortly after birth. The six-year-old panda mommy was artificially inseminated in an effort to preserve the species, which are on the verge of extinction.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Jay-Z gave Oprah a tour of Marcy Projects while she interviewed him for an upcoming feature in O Magazine. The pair was photographed on the streets of Brooklyn, with Jay-Z grasping a copy of Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth. Jay-Z's long awaited Blueprint 3 is slated to be released on September 11. Jay-Z said that he picked this date not only because of the events of 9-11, but because the original Blueprint was released that same day and Jay-Z believes that the day is good luck.

"It was really a conversation, and at the end of the day, you feel like you get to know someone," she said. "I feel like I met a new friend. It was really great," said Oprah.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Monday, July 13, 2009

I was lying on the beach and was utterly distracted by nearby Michael Jackson conversation. One woman was very vocal, loud and sounded emotional; the other was calm and collected. They were debating if MJ was really a child molester. The loud woman said that she thought MJ was a terrible person because he was "evil" because it's a fact that he molested those kids (even though he was never convicted in a court of law).

The calm woman stated that she didn't think he touched those kids and that the perception of MJ has been shaped by the mass media. The vocal woman began to get irritated, louder and combative. The calm woman stated that regardless he was a very influential person and did a lot of good in this world, including his Guinness World Record for donating to the most charities (read House Resolution 600 HERE).

A man in their group chimed off: "I think Michael Jackson, Kobe and OJ all did it!" Seems strange how he got to this point, but regardless it sounded racist and embarassing to me. OJ: maybe. Kobe: definitely not. Michael Jackson: highly unlikely.

The conversation ended when the calm woman said that the boisterous woman was basically following the mass media, citing the fact that kids sleep in his bed, etc. The calm woman stated that all the facts have not come out through the mass media and that you have to dig deeper. I would encourage all of us to dig deeper. Starting HERE with Aphrodite Jones' book: Michael Jackson Conspiracy.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Why is Pfizer giving out Viagra (TM) to the unemployed and uninsured? Is this exactly like the drug dealers on the street? Hey first time's free old men. I'm sure they think they're doing a great thing for our society because sex makes people less depressed.

All this is coming from the world's largest pharmaceutical company (check it out on their website HERE). It just seems a little bit odd that Pfizer wants to GIVE away drugs. Meanwhile, poor people are dying around the world because they can't get their hands on HIV/AIDS drugs. Hmmmm. So, remember what your parents taught you people: don't take candy (or drugs) from strangers.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Has anybody noticed that gas prices are creeping up again? I was beginning to get used to paying $17-$22 to fill up my tank. Luckily, that's changing just in time for the summer...because I love to sit indoors during the hot summer.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Einstein has so many great quotes. I believe Einstein when he said that human stupidity is infinite. Perhaps because our egos make drive us to make stupid, selfish decisions. Maybe stupidity is simply apart of human nature. Who knows. But if we as people weren't so stupid, why do we all pay for needlessly inflated gas prices? Or why do so many comprise their beliefs and passions to get a paycheck? Perhaps these are just a few of the paradoxes that the great philosophers spoke about.

If the universe is infinite, what is our time and place in it? Perhaps this is what Einstein thought of when he discovered the Theory of Relativity.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

I love this quote because I think it articulates exactly why problems perpetuate our society. We as a society need to start investing in our youth and our future because they will be the ones that can solve our current problems. Problems will only grow in our society when we have the same consciousness--we need to keep growing and evolving as a society. There is a reason why hindsight is always 20/20.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Earth Hour 2009 motivated millions and millions of people and businesses to shut off their lights to support the fight against global warming. The demonstration is partially sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund. Many internationally known landmarks went dark last night at 8:30 pm (regardless of timezone). The Sydney Opera House, Giza Pyramids, Roman Coliseum, Eiffel Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building and the Las Vegas Strip are just a few of the many dim historical sites.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Are we as humans becoming dumber? I find it hard to believe that someone wouldn't notice their SUV rolling into a ditch. He even looks behind him at one point, sees no car, and goes back to what he's doing. I can't criticize too much though, I have been known to do some pretty ridiculous things myself. I just can't help but wonder if we all use 10 percent of our brain all the time.

I'm still not sure why people care what other people do in their bedrooms. Do we remember Rev. Graham? Dr. Kellogg? Graham crackers were created to suppress one's sexual appetite. Reverend Graham believed that bland foods decreased one's libido. Later Dr. Kellogg continued in his footsteps by creating the bland, boring corn flakes cereal.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

On this day in 1931 Nevada re-legalized gambling to stimulate their economy during the Great Depression. What was supposed to be a "quick fix" is now Nevada's largest source of income. Gambling was actually legal until 1909, when gaming began to be perceived negatively.

With our current recession one can't help but wonder what type of revenue could be generated if we legalized a few "illegal" things.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Definitely a tough issue: the Second Amendment states that everyone has the right to defend themselves. Without doubt the new administration will pass stricter gun laws, but will that really effect criminals? Are criminals going to purchase their guns at the store or on the street?

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Anyone ever wonder why the Super Nanny is needed? She is doing a great public service for us Americans. Super Nanny is so necessary because parents don't know how to discipline their kids. They feel bad for disciplining their kids.

Why is that you ask?

Well, that's because kids are no longer necessary: they are an option. The advent of the pill and condom forever changed our procreating trends. Now parents plan many years in advance to have children. 50 to 60 years ago children were just apart of having sex. Today parents have time to idealize the child and create a false infatuation.

Decades ago parents had the attitude that they didn't owe their kids anything but food, water and shelter. Currently, parents are financially and legally responsible for their children up to 18 years old. But they are still financially responsible for their children's college until they are 23 years old. These societal shifts have resulted in bad parenting and the growing need for Super Nannys across the country.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Ireland based Ryan Air is considering making customers pay to use the restrooms on their flight. They are Europe's third largest airline who is credited with beginning the pay per checked bag trend. Although the airline has not made an official decision about the pay per piss toilet fare, they have admitted to considering the possibility.

I hope Ryan Air doesn't start another trend. What will happen if you don't have 2 quarters on you? Do these executives realize how annoying that would be? They should put a change machine next to the restrooms, and maybe some arcade games. I'm tired of companies adding hidden costs to a service. Cities and counties do it too--anybody notice that parking and speeding tickets seem to be handed out more frequently? How about they just raise taxes instead of attempting to ruin people's day.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Definitely one of the best performances of the night: "Lost" and "Viva La Vida." I love both songs, but like "Lost" a bit more.

"If you succeed prepare to be crucified" ("Lost"). The song reminds us that even when we win ultimately we loose. We all have our scars, and there's no denying that there will be more to come. In this world there will always be pleasure and pain.

And, I love the blending of the two genres. It's been a long time since Run DMC and Aerosmith performed together. If music keeps evolving and blending genres there's no telling what history can be created.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It's about time people start facing adversity with love and faith instead of fear and doubt. In President Obama's case, it seems as though the majority loves him and has faith in him. No need to fear and doubt him. Light doesn't shine in the hearts of the fearful doubters--it's deflected.

Obama can't clean up this mess alone....it takes many to make history.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility. A recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world. Duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather see gladly; firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship. This is the source of our confidence: the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny."

Monday, January 5, 2009

Take a look at what our first and second amendment rights look like together.

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.